André Rieu will now play violins from a Luxembourg fund led by Rodrigue Tournel Article from “Truineer,” a Belgian local paper November 13, 2025. Photo Truineer: Managing directors Rodrique Tournel and Dr. Olivier Voordeckers of Devoto SARL (Reserved Alternative Investment Fund), holding rare violins from The Violin Collection. World-renowned violinist André Rieu will now play two historic violins from The Violin Collection, a Luxembourg investment fund, led by "Truineer" Rodrique Tournel. The fund, established by Devoto SARL, invests not in stocks or real estate, but in rare string instruments. The goal: to allow heritage to resonate instead of gathering dust in a vault, while simultaneously offering a tangible alternative to classical investments. "We want cultural heritage to resonate," says Rodrique Tournel, Managing Director of Devoto. "With The Violin Collection, we manage instruments that have not only financial value, but also emotional and musical significance. Thanks to André Rieu, our violins now reach the world's greatest concert halls." From Limburg to Luxembourg and back, For Tournel, the sale also has a personal dimension. Born in Sint-Truiden (Belgian Limburg) and active in Luxembourg for over twenty years, he sees the collaboration with Rieu as a symbolic triangle between Belgian, Luxembourgish, and Dutch Limburg. "You could easily call this a Triple L story: from my birthplace in Belgian Limburg, through our work in Luxembourg, to André Rieu in Dutch Limburg. Music, capital, and culture literally converge here." The two violins sold are masterpieces by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1798–1875), the most famous French violin maker of the 19th century. His instruments are known for their powerful, warm tone and exceptional playability—ideal for the large venues where Rieu performs. No details were given about the price. Tournel emphasizes: "Discretion is part of what we do. But let's just say these are the Rolls-Royces of violins—instruments built to shine on the largest stages." Investing in Music Rare violins and cellos are among the most sought-after collectibles on the international art market. Historically, top instruments have shown stable value growth, averaging 5 to 7 percent per year, with additional premiums when played by world musicians. Tournel: “Our investors seek tangible assets that combine emotion with long-term value. A violin is not only a financial asset but also a piece of history that lives on in the hands of artists.” With this transaction, Devoto confirms the bridge between music and asset management, a niche in which Luxembourg is an international leader. About Devoto and The Violin Collection Devoto SARL is a Luxembourg-based Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM), registered with the CSSF. The team structures and manages alternative funds for families, entrepreneurs, and investors, with expertise in legal, tax, and financial architecture. The Violin Collection is a Luxembourg fund that invests in historical violins, cellos, and bows. Instruments from the collection are played worldwide by top musicians and regularly loaned to young talent.

From De Limburger. Judith Kuypers November 17, 2025 André Rieu bought two very special violins, Enzo Kok gets to play on one: "No idea what it costs" "Hi, with André Rieu. I bought two very special violins. Would you like to play one of those violins?” That question was presented to violinist Enzo Kok from Kerkrade on the phone. In addition to an honor, that is of course also very exciting. Because the rare violins have cost a big amount. Kok: "I don't know what the violin cost, I don't think too much about that either." The news about the purchase by Rieu is now coming out through an article in Het Belang van Limburg about the Rodrigue Tournel from Sint-Truiden who has set up an investment fund in Luxembourg. This fund does not invest in stocks or real estate, but in rare strings: The Violin Collection. Tournel: "The stock market may crash, but a historic violin is a very stable investment." Best violin builder in nineteenth century In order to achieve return, the investment fund must regularly sell masterpieces from its instrument collection. The fund recently announced that it had sold two masterpieces to the Maastricht violinist André Rieu. It would be two violins made by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. He is considered one of the best violin builders of the nineteenth century. Bad instrument can inhibit you Rieu confirms through his son Pierre that he has indeed bought two special violins. Pierre Rieu: "My father sees it as an investment. He also wants to help young talent. If you play a bad instrument, it can inhibit the development of a young talent. Enzo therefore now has a violin on loan, the other rotates in Rieu’s orchestra". Looking for violin The fact that the Kok family has warm ties to the Rieu family is well known. After all, Sister Emma Kok regularly performs as a singer at the Rieu concerts at home and abroad. Brother Enzo has also performed with Rieu before (July 2015). He will not have been surprised to speak to the Maastricht violinist on the phone. He was honored to have the violin on loan. “It’s a great tool. André knew I was looking for an instrument. When I studied at the conservatory in Amsterdam, I received an instrument from there on loan. Then I was looking for a new instrument.” Trying out “I was allowed to try and feel the violin first. That was really good right away. The instrument has a strong character. It is strong in sound and you can make many different colors with it. I like violins like these that are a little rougher.” Enormous amount Since it is a violin of a top violin builder from the nineteenth century, a considerable amount will have been deposited for the instrument. Rieu calls the violin "The Stradivarius of the Future." According to Tournel, the entire purchase process of the two violins has taken more than a year. About the price paid for the violin, Kok doesn't try to think too much: "If you're going to do that, you'll see that something is happening with it. I'll take good care of it. I keep it clean and I’m careful." No end date Initially, Enzo was given the violin on loan to participate in the Dutch Violin Competition at the beginning of this year in Utrecht. After that, Kok would return the violin to Rieu. "But after the competition, I was allowed to keep it on loan longer. No end date has been agreed now." Hannover (Germany) After completing his studies at the conservatory in Amsterdam, violin talent Kok started a training in Berlin (Germany). He didn't finish it: "I didn't feel a click." He is now studying at the conservatory in Hannover, where he is taught by the Dutch teacher Liza Ferschtman.

Emma Kok’s brother: Enzo Kok, showing André’s Vuillaume violin.